Private equity funders in bidding war for Super TT Rugby 2022

[Guy Smiley]

https://www.smh.com.au/sport/rugby-unio ... 55wpw.html

Nine Entertainment Co has not submitted a formal bid for Rugby Australia’s new broadcast rights package despite the governing body indicating to other bidders that it has made a formal offer.

Sources with knowledge of negotiations said RA reached out to Nine on multiple occasions to gauge the broadcaster's interest in showing Wallabies matches and Super Rugby games on its television network and streaming services 9Now or Stan.

However, the media company, which owns this masthead, has not expressed a formal interest in the rights, made a bid or discussed how much money it would be prepared to pay to broadcast the 15-man code. Nine declined to comment.

The discussions between Nine and RA were informal and while Nine boss Hugh Marks has previously said it was not a priority for the network given its focus on rugby league, tennis and a potential foray back into cricket, a deal cannot be completely ruled out.


Despite this, television sources told the Herald on the condition of anonymity that a senior figure at RA, directly involved in negotiations, indicated to incumbent rights holders that Nine had come to the table with an offer.

RA’s best-case scenario is creating competitive tension in the market to drive up its price given the code is hardly in a position of power to demand a broadcast fee equal to or higher than previous years.

An RA spokesperson declined to comment.

A report in The Australian said Nine was considering putting rugby on either its main channel or online streaming service Stan, however sources poured cold water on that suggestion, saying a whole new commercial strategy would have to drawn up given there is no sport on the platform.

Earlier this week, the Herald revealed Optus had not formally expressed interest in RA’s revised broadcast package despite reports last month the telco was set to land the rights.